some distinctive caddisflies at light-traps -...
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Some distinctive caddisflies at light-trapsCompiled by Martin Harvey for BENHS workshop Dec 2017
Mystacides longicornisNote banded wing pattern (there is a scarce form that is plain yellow), and very long palps; wing length 6–9mm
© Malcolm Storey/BioImages
Glyphotaelius pellucidusDistinctive shape to wing edge, abdomen is usually green; this is a male (females have less obvious patterning on the wing); wing length 12–17mm
Donald Hobern CC-BY
[Nemotaulius punctatolineatus has a similar wing shape but is larger (wing length 22–26mm) and much less widespread, known only from Scottish blanket bogs]
Limnephilus lunatusPale ‘lunar’ mark at wing-tip, edged by blackish shading (other Limnephilus can have a similar pale mark but don’t have the same dark shading); wing length 10–15mm
Limnephilus auriculaDistinctive pattern of pale spots on wing; wing length 8–12mm
Janet Graham CC-BY
Limnephilus speciesThese two species are fairly distinctive, but check the wing patterns carefully – there are many other Limnephilus species, most of which require close examination to identify
© Malcolm Storey/BioImages
Halesus radiatusHas more-or-less solid brown lines between veins at wing tip; wing length 17–23mm
via NBN Atlas
Halesus digitatusHas brown speckles between veins at wing tip; wing length 17–23mm
Janet Graham CC-BY
Halesus speciesOnly two species in this genus, with fairly distinct patterns, but take care to match them correctly and avoid confusion with Potamophylax species that have slightly less mottled wings
Potamophylax speciesHas fewer pale areas on wing; wing length 14–20mm
Martin Harvey CC-BY
Phryganea grandis OR bipunctataBroad-bodied and very large; wing length 18–28mm
Stenophylax permistus OR vibexSlimmer but still large, with pale band along costa of wing; wing length 18–24mm
Janet Graham CC-BY
Very large species in genus Phryganea and StenophylaxThese very large caddis often come to light-traps and look as if they should be easy to identify, but they aren’t! Genitalia need to be checked to be sure of the correct identification.
For further information and to identify all caddis to species level refer to Barnard and Ross, 2012, The adult Trichoptera (caddisflies) of Britain
and Ireland (Royal Entomological Society/FSC)
© Malcolm Storey/BioImages